Steel cargo containers approved for St. Charles Parish yards

But the containers can't stay for more than a year, parish council says

Residents can park steel cargo containers in their yards in St. Charles Parish, but not for more than a year, under an ordinance approved by the Parish Council on Monday evening. Some residents are buying the containers and using them for storage. But parish officials say the containers can pose a hazard because of their design and owners often don't get permits for them, as they would for a shed or a garage.

The measure classifies the containers as non-residential accessory buildings. It exempts containers leased for on-demand storage offered by some companies.

"People are starting to use them as storage buildings, and we need to put something in place before it gets out of control," Councilwoman Carolyn Schexnaydre said.

In other business, the council declined to vote on a proposal by Councilman Paul Hogan that would have created a zoning district for the most intensive uses on the Mississippi River batture.

The measure would have let current activities such as sand pits remain under their current zoning classification, but would have created a separate category for shipyards, power plants and coal handling facilities.

"A vote is due on this ordnance," Hogan said. "This is going to provide protection to the people along the river when these things come up."

The council approved a contract with Civil & Environmental Consulting Engineers to draft a conceptual design for a proposed boat launch off WPA Road in Des Allemands on property that has been offered for donation to the parish. Council members said they want an idea of the potential cost of the project before applying for federal funds and committing parish money to its development.

The council also voted to join a multiparish district to operate a juvenile detention facility in St. James Parish. New standards have driven up the cost of operating facilities to house juvenile offenders. The standards, which raised the cost of housing offenders from $160 per day to more than $250 per day, has left St. James Parish unable to operate the system under its current contracts with neighboring parishes.

St. Charles Parish officials said they are reserving the right to withdraw from the group if they disagree with the direction that the new district takes.